sqeezplay Posted January 22, 2006 Share Posted January 22, 2006 well how do you? what set-up do you have? what kind of wood do you use? what processes do you use? anything else i missed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapman1077 Posted January 22, 2006 Share Posted January 22, 2006 check this site out http://www.velvitoil.com/Charmake.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodtick Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 I make my charcoal in a 45 gal barrel. I get an average of 2 1/2 - 5 gallon bucketfuls of good charcoal to a burn. I try to stick to hardwood because I find softwood gets flaky and dustier than I like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale Peters Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 I make charcoal in a retort, which is basically a 15-17 gallon drum inside a 55-gallon drum. I cut draft air openings at the bottom of the drum for air flow and to help in getting the fire started. I drilled 3/8 inch holes around the base of the smaller barrel to allow gases and volatiles to escape (also providing more heat as it burns). I used a piece of round plate metal for a lid. It bolts on. The plate has metal loops welded to the top so I can suspend it within the drum. I tried using two pieces of heavy rod to support the smaller barrel at the bottom, but they got too hot and bent into a nice arc. I also place metal pieces over the top to help keep the heat in, while allowing smoke to exit. I used what I had on hand. (I make frequent trips to the salvage yard, so I had plenty on hand.) For the charcoal and fuel for the fire, I use oak pallet material which I collect from a local company. The pallets are usually made of 3x3 inch runners approximately 11 feet in length with 1x 6 inch boards as cross pieces. I use a tool I made to disassemble the pallets, remove the nails, then I use a miter saw to cut the wood into chunks. With the 3x3 runners, I use a hatchet to split the chunks into smaller pieces. Some of the cross pieces are sawn into longer lengths (12-18 inches generally) to be used as the heat source. I put the soon-to-be-charcoal chunks in the 15-gallon barrel, bolt the lid to the top and suspend it in the 55-gallon drum. I pile wood under the small barrel and along the sides (inside the 55-gallon drum) and start a fire. It takes about an hour or more for a complete burn. I add additional fuel as needed to keep it going. There will be lots of smoke, at least initially, and it will make a roaring sound. I usually do it in the evening and let it cool overnight. When I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale Peters Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Here is a photo of the raw material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale Peters Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Here's a photo of the finished charcoal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale Peters Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Here's one of a night firing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjskinner Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 That looks wicked... Love the Pic :mrgreen: 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale Peters Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldBellows Posted January 27, 2006 Share Posted January 27, 2006 Check out Dan's version of a retort. I built one on a smaller scale and it works like a dream.http://www.twinoaksforge.com/BLADSMITHING/MAKING%20CHARCOAL.htm Pine charcoal burns faster but it doesnt leave as much ash, and not nearly as many 'fleas' when you forge with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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